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80s singing legend announces UK tour amid bid to save pub

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Tony Hadley rose to international fame in the 1980s as the lead singer of new wave band Spandau Ballet, delivering iconic hits including True, Gold and Through The Barricades.

The 65-year-old is renowned for his powerful, expressive vocals and has enjoyed a successful solo career since leaving the band, whilst also pursuing stage work and radio presenting.

Mr Hadley recently joined the push to save The Rose & Thistle in Haddenham near Thame, over the Oxfordshire border in Buckinghamshire.

READ MORE: Mary Berry finds ‘peace’ after ‘joy’ at retirement home

Villagers are aiming to reopen the historic coaching inn, which dates back to the 18th century, but closed in 2019.

At the time of writing, The Rose & Thistle Reborn campaign has raised over £65,000, which is around 10 per cent of the required total sum of £750,000.

Mr Hadley has urged people to buy shares to back the crowdfunding campaign and said: “It’s a fantastic little pub – I have been there many times in the past.

“We have to preserve our village and small town pubs.”

READ MORE: TV legend’s daughter selling £3.95m Oxfordshire mansion with swimming pool

This drive to help reestablish the pub comes amid the announcement of a new UK tour for Mr Hadley later this year.

The Christmas Big Band Tour 2026 sees a set of 19 dates up and down the country, including Oxford’s New Theatre on November 12.

After last year’s sold-out shows, the tour will bring Mr Hadley back with performances of classic jazz numbers, swing standards and 1980s hits delivered in his signature powerful vocals, accompanied by the TH Band and a complete brass section.

Concert-goers can look forward to iconic tracks from music legends such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Elvis Presley, as well as his big band interpretations of True, Gold, and Through The Barricades.





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People of Banbury wall of fame refreshed at station

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The People of Banbury portrait project, which launched in February 2025, has been expanded to include more residents, bringing the total number of portraits on display at Banbury station to 34.

Sixteen more individuals now feature on the station’s ‘wall of fame,’ located on the station’s overbridge.

Harry Burr, community rail lead at Chiltern Railways, said: “The People of Banbury project is a wonderful community initiative which engages and celebrates the rich tapestry of Banbury residents.

“We are grateful that our Community Investment Fund is able to support such exciting and important projects like this across the entire Chiltern Railways network.”

The portraits were chosen from more than 140 community nominations and form part of a collaboration between Chiltern Railways and Banbury Business Improvement District (BID), with funding from Chiltern’s Community Investment Fund.

Participants who shared their unique stories and had portraits displayed were invited to a special unveiling event at the station on May 21.

She said: “The People of Banbury has always been a passion project for me, and working closely with the community to bring it to life has been so rewarding.

“Thanks to the vital funding and continued support from Chiltern Railways, we’ve refreshed the gallery, filled the remaining gaps, and showcased even more inspiring local faces.”





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13 old photos of Oxfordshire dog shows back in the 2000s

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The pictures were taken between 2002 and 2008 by Oxford Mail photographers covering days out in the spring and summer at dog show events.

Beyond the pets, many of the events included town fayres, games and market stalls, and produced classic images of Morris dancers, children eating ice cream and more.

Dog shows archive picturesFive-year-old Richard Butler with his Australian Dandy Dinmont dog called Lucky at the Didcot May Fair and Dog Show, 2002 (Image: Jon Lewis)

READ MORE: 13 old photos show Oxford nightlife and clubs back in 2008

Dog shows have been held for years in towns across Oxfordshire, with pictures in this gallery from Didcot, Chipping Norton, Burford, Carterton and beyond.

Some of the most adorable shots show youngsters with their beloved pets, whether or not they won accolades in the show.

Take a look back through this archive picture gallery to see if you recognise any of these dogs – or the owners pictured with them.





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Oxford will be turned into a Wonderland for Alice’s Day

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Alice’s Day returns on Saturday, July 4, with a programme of family-friendly events, performances and interactive experiences inspired by Lewis Carroll’s beloved character.

The festival marks the anniversary of the first telling of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, shared by Charles Dodgson with Alice Liddell and her sisters during a boating trip from Folly Bridge in 1862.

Events will take place across the city at venues including The Story Museum, Alice’s Shop, the Bodleian Library, Christ Church, the Museum of Oxford and Oxford Botanic Garden.

Conrad Bodman, CEO of The Story Museum, said: “We’re proud that Alice’s Day has become such firm fixture in Oxford’s cultural calendar.”

A highlight of this year’s celebrations will be a street theatre performance by Creation Theatre, reimagining Alice as she chases the White Rabbit.

At Westgate, Rough Magic Theatre will present the Jabberwock using a mix of shadow puppetry and live singing.

Visitors will be able to try their hand at croquet in the Master’s Garden at Christ Church and attend a Magic Lantern show in the Dodgson Room.

The Museum of Oxford will offer a special Hands-On History session exploring the objects and stories connected to Alice’s Day.

At the Weston Library, storyteller Lucy Walters will perform tales from Wonderland.

The Bodleian Library will also host talks from the Lewis Carroll Society.

The Story Museum will offer half-price entry to its galleries, including Small Worlds, and a full day of themed activities.

These will include face painting, poetry with the Oxford Poetry Library, a giant interactive board game, and a talk by author Anna James about her latest book, Alice With a Why.

Afternoon tea will be served in the Story Museum’s Magic Common Room, with traditional sandwiches, cakes, and treats.

The event is sponsored this year by law firm Howes Percival.

Alice’s Day is held on the first Saturday of July each year, close to the date of Carroll’s original storytelling in 1862.

The festival commemorates not just a story, but a turning point in children’s literature and Oxford’s literary legacy.

Mr Bodman said: “Over the years, we’ve welcomed Alice fans from around the world who want to celebrate an enduring literary icon.”

After the publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Oxford became known worldwide as a centre for children’s storytelling, inspiring writers such as Kenneth Grahame, CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and Philip Pullman.





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